Former Paterson aide pleads not guilty to charges

David Johnson, the former gubernatorial aide whose domestic dispute with a girlfriend helped derail the political career of Gov. David A. Paterson, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident.

Johnson, 37, was freed on his own recognizance by a Bronx Criminal Court judge after he surrendered Thursday morning to prosecutors to face charges of third-degree assault, criminal mischief and menacing, said defense attorney Oscar Michelen.

"David always knew this was a possibility, to face these charges in court and we are prepared to do so," Michelen told Newsday after the arraignment.

Michelen said the case was assigned to the Bronx domestic violence court, with the next court date set for Oct. 14. Johnson remains suspended without pay from his state job. A spokesman for Paterson didn't respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The criminal complaint accused Johnson of assaulting his former girlfriend Sherr-una Booker, 41, last Halloween in their Bronx apartment and tearing her holiday costume. The assault, menacing and criminal mischief charges are all misdemeanors each punishable by up to 1 year in jail, Michelen said. A related harassment charge is a violation punishable by up to 15 days in jail.

The Halloween incident led to Booker filing a Family Court action for an order of protection against Johnson, who had been one of Paterson's closest aides. Prior to one of Booker's scheduled appearances in Family Court earlier this year, Paterson placed a telephone call to her - an action that retired Chief Judge Judith Kaye said showed a lack of judgment, but that did not constitute an illegal effort to keep Booker from testifying.

Still, the resulting political furor was instrumental in forcing Paterson to abort his gubernatorial election campaign, clearing the way for the candidacy of Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Since Cuomo had an appearance of a conflict of interest if he investigated Paterson while the governor was still a candidate, Kaye was appointed as special prosecutor to handle the case.

After Kaye issued her report last month finding no criminal wrongdoing by Paterson, she recommended that Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson investigate David Johnson for possible domestic violence charges.

In a letter sent to prosecutors last month in an effort to fend off charges, Michelen pointed to the fact that the NYPD made a "reasoned determination" that no crime was committed and had referred Booker to Family Court.

Kenneth Thompson, the attorney for Booker, couldn't be reached for comment.